How can someone without eyesight learn a city block or navigate a new neighborhood? In 2018, the LightHouse introduced TMAP: Tactile Maps Automated Production, offering on-demand tactile street maps.
Covering an area of several blocks surrounding a given address, TMAP uses both braille and large print to identify streets, represented by crisp, raised lines that can be easily followed with the fingertips.
TMAP is a collaboration of the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute.
Order a map for $25
To order a map, call our product specialists at 1-888-400-8933 or or visit adaptations.org and specify the street address of the map you’re interested in receiving. Within two business days we’ll ship you your map, or make it available for pick up at the Adaptations Store on 1155 Market St., 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA.
What’s in the package?
- You will receive two maps of the same address, a zoomed-out overview map, and a zoomed-in detail map showing streets, paths, and buildings, if the data is available
- A tactile map key
- An introductory page
- All materials are printed on 11” X 11.5” sheets of embossed paper and include ink / large print labels in addition to braille
Learn more about the MAD Lab where these maps are produced.
Contact
Contact tmap@lighthouse-sf.org for more information, questions or feedback, or to inquire about printing a TMAP on your own embosser or tactile printer.
Resources
Blog Post: Maps, at your Fingertips
Blog Post: New local tactile maps at Adaptations